JP5020063B2 - Patient transfer device having an inclined top surface - Google Patents

Description

  This application is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 612,805 “Patient Transfer Mattress Having Inclined Surface” filed on September 24, 2004, and U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 548,901 filed on March 1, 2004. The priority of “Active Head / Neck Positioning Device for Intubation” is claimed, and these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  The present invention relates to a patient transfer device. More particularly, the present invention is useful for supporting a patient in an upright position to reduce the respiratory burden of an obese patient or to facilitate intubation of the patient regardless of the patient's weight. The present invention relates to a patient transfer mattress with an inclined surface.

  The patient transfer mattress has an inflatable plenum (or air-filled space) and exhausts air through a number of holes in the bottom seat to create an air cushion on the underside of the mattress. The air cushion lifts the mattress and facilitates movement of the mattress relative to the bed and other support surfaces. Examples of prior art patient transfer mattresses are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,067,189 (Weedling et al.) And US Pat. No. 5,561,873 (Weedling).

  Patients, particularly those who are morbidly obese, often have a condition associated with obesity and often make it unhealthy to lie prone (or lying on their back) for a long time. Obesity can make it difficult for the patient to breathe because the patient's lungs are compressed by the heavy chest wall, making it difficult to lift and expand for breathing. Such breathing difficulties can exacerbate conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF).

  For these reasons, obese patients, particularly those suffering from COPD or CHF, can be mentally painful to lie flat during diagnosis and transport. Arterial gas levels in obese patients who are prone or supine can rise to the point where they impair proper circulation of oxygen. For patients suffering from CHF, the patient's heart cannot adequately circulate blood through the body, and blood can accumulate in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, and limb edema . When the lungs become congested with fluid, the resulting shortness of breath causes patients with CHF to frequently experience sleep problems.

  Patient treatment may require endotracheal intubation. Direct visualization of the larynx using a rigid laryngoscope is the primary procedure for achieving endotracheal intubation and this procedure is called laryngoscopy. The success of laryngoscopy depends on the alignment of the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes. In this posture, called the “sniffing posture”, the patient's head is slightly elongated and the occipital region is lifted. It is not easy to place the patient in an appropriate intubation posture by hand, especially when the patient is obese.

  Accordingly, body support devices have been developed to facilitate endotracheal intubation. US Pat. No. 4,259,757 (Watson) discloses a cushion that can be used to position a patient's head and neck to facilitate endotracheal intubation. However, since this cushion only supports the head and neck and not the patient's torso, it is not a complete support system to achieve the “sniffing posture”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,783 discloses a wedge-shaped head and torso support including an inflatable bladder. The inner bag can then be adjusted to provide partial and full inflation. However, this support includes only a single inner bag and the head cannot be lifted independently of the torso.

  According to one aspect of the invention, the patient transfer device includes an inflatable transfer mattress having a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The bottom sheet includes a plurality of holes to create an air cushion on the underside of the mattress. The upper seat is tilted upward from the longitudinal middle portion of the mattress toward the end of the head so that the upper part of the supported patient's head and torso is lifted from the lower part of the foot and torso.

  In one embodiment, an inflatable transfer mattress is disposed in the middle portion to provide increased strength and stability to the middle portion of the mattress to support the patient on the mattress in an inclined state. It includes a plurality of relatively narrow chambers (or chambers). As a preference, the relatively narrow chamber expands laterally with respect to the mattress.

  In another embodiment, the transfer mattress includes a foot separator disposed on the foot portion of the mattress torso. The foot separator is preferred and has a tapered shape that extends toward the end of the mattress. Preferably, the foot separator includes at least one inflatable chamber (or chamber) having at least one inlet port for inflation. The foot separator may include a plurality of chambers separated from each other by baffle walls.

  In another embodiment, the transfer mattress includes a pump attached to the mattress and connected to at least one inlet port of the mattress. The pump may be connected to one or more inlet ports of the mattress by a hose. Alternatively, the pump may be attached directly to the inlet port.

  According to another feature of the invention, the patient transfer device includes a torso and head support. The torso support has an inflatable chamber and the head support is located on the upper surface of the torso support and likewise has an inflatable chamber. The upper surface of the torso support is tilted upward relative to the underlying support surface so that when the torso chamber is inflated, the upper portion of the patient's torso is lifted with respect to the patient's foot. The head support chamber defines an interior separated from the interior of the fuselage support chamber to allow the head support chamber and the fuselage support chamber to expand independently.

  In one embodiment, the patient transfer device includes an inlet tube connected to each support chamber for supplying pressurized air to each support chamber to inflate the associated chamber. The patient transfer device also includes a first and second connected to a corresponding one of the inlet tubes for a controlled supply of a pressurized air source, and each of the chambers associated with the pressurized air. A distribution manifold is operably connected to the valve. Preferably, the valve is an electrically controlled valve. The patient transfer device further includes a controller connected to the distribution manifold and configured to control the operation of the valve for independent inflation of the torso support chamber and the head support chamber.

  In another embodiment, the patient transfer device also includes an exhaust tube connected to the associated chamber for exhausting air from each of the torso support chamber and the head support chamber. The distribution manifold includes third and fourth valves connected to the exhaust pipe for controlled contraction of the associated chamber.

  In another embodiment, the patient transfer device includes a control system that includes a control unit connected to the distribution manifold for control of valve operation. According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit is adapted to be attached to a laryngoscope to allow actuation of the valve by movement of the user's thumb (to align the three axes for the “sniffing posture”) It is configured.

  In the drawings, similar components are numbered similarly. FIG. 1 shows a patient transfer device of the type having an inflatable mattress 10. As will be described in detail later, the patient transfer device provides an inclined surface for supporting the patient's head and torso in a raised state relative to the lower part of the patient's torso and the foot. This mode of support is desirable for obese patients, particularly obese patients suffering from comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF).

  The inflatable transfer mattress 10 includes a top sheet 12, a bottom sheet 14, and side panels 16. The bottom sheet 14 creates an air cushion on the underside of the mattress and provides a plurality of openings for exhausting air from the mattress 10 to facilitate sliding or movement of the mattress 10 along the lower support surface. Including. The transfer mattress 10 may include a loop-shaped handle 18 attached to the side of the mattress 10 to facilitate the application of traction forces to guide the movement of the mattress.

  The transfer mattress 10 may also include a looping traction strap 19 attached to each looping handle 18. The looped traction strap 19 has an elongated shape to allow the caregiver to pull the mattress 10 remotely. This configuration is useful, for example, when transferring a patient from a first support surface to a second support surface disposed between the caregiver and the first support surface. The elongated looped traction strap 19 allows the caregiver to apply traction to the mattress in a substantially upright position, reducing the possibility of caregiver waist and back damage. The transfer mattress 10 may also include a patient strap 20 for securing the patient to the mattress.

  The patient transfer mattress 10 is preferred as a side air chamber (or air chamber) 22 extending in the longitudinal direction and a lateral chamber (or chamber) 24 extending between the side air chambers 22. including. Suitable configurations for the side air chamber 22 and the lateral chamber 24 of the mattress 10 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,067,189 (Weedling) and U.S. Patent No. 5,561,873.

  The patient transfer mattress 10 includes a head portion 26 at one end, a foot portion 28 at the opposite end, and an intermediate portion 30 disposed between the head portion 26 and the foot portion 28. The head portion 26 of the transfer mattress 10 is disposed between the top sheet 12 and the bottom sheet 14 and includes an expansion panel 32 connected to the side panel 16. As shown in FIG. 1, by providing an expansion panel 32, the top sheet 12 of the head portion 26 of the mattress 10 is higher than the rest of the top sheet 12 when the transfer mattress 10 is inflated. Lifted into position. As shown, the expansion panel 32 is dimensioned such that the top sheet 12 is tilted at a substantially uniform ratio over a majority of the head portion 26. Preferably, the angle Y of inclination of the head portion 26 with respect to the rest of the upper sheet 12 when the mattress 10 is fully inflated and unloaded by the patient is about 30 degrees to about 30 degrees. It is between 40 degrees. However, the present invention is not limited by a specific inclination angle.

  This tilt lifts the supported patient's head and torso upper to a position higher than the patient's torso lower and foot. Supporting an obese patient in an upright position (or a position close to an upright state) promotes circulation (breathing) and breathing during rest and lateral transport.

  The transfer mattress 10 includes an air inlet hose 31 for supplying air to the interior of the mattress to inflate the mattress. The tilted head portion 26 of the transfer mattress 10 may have an interior chamber that communicates (or connects) with the interior of the rest of the transfer mattress 10. When configured in this manner, the entire transfer mattress 10, including the tilted head portion 26, will be commonly inflated from the same air source via the air inlet hose 31. Alternatively, the inclined surface of the head portion 26 of the patient transfer mattress 10 may define a torso support chamber that is separated from the rest of the transfer mattress. When configured in this manner, the fuselage support chamber receives a static (or fixed) supply of air via an inlet valve for selective expansion of the fuselage support chamber, as required. May be. Such a configuration can provide a choice as to whether to support the patient in a substantially prone (or supine) or more upright position.

  FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a patient transfer device in the form of a patient transfer mattress 33 according to the invention. Similar to the patient transfer mattress 10 of FIG. 1, the patient transfer mattress 33 includes a top sheet 12, a bottom sheet 14, a side panel 16, a looped handle 18, and a patient restraint strap 20. Similar to the transfer mattress 10, the mattress 33 includes an extension panel 32 at the head portion 26 of the mattress 33 so that when the transfer mattress 33 is inflated, the head portion 26 is positioned higher than the rest of the upper sheet 12. lift.

  The tilt of the upper seat 12 and the rise of the upper part of the patient's torso will distribute the patient's weight to the intermediate portion 30 of the transfer mattress 33 at a greater rate than when the patient is lying prone or lying on his back. In order to compensate for this increased weight of the intermediate portion 30, the intermediate portion 30 of the transfer mattress 33 includes a lateral chamber 34 having a narrower width than the lateral chamber 24 included in other portions of the mattress 33. As a result, the density of the lateral chambers 34 (i.e., the number of chambers per unit area) increases in the intermediate portion 30, so that the lateral chambers 24 use a relatively large weight that each lateral chamber 34 must support. Will be less than if it were. Preferably, the transverse chamber 34 of the intermediate portion 30 of the mattress 33 opens directly into the longitudinal side air chamber 22 of the transfer mattress 33. Although the narrow chamber of the intermediate portion 30 is preferred and is expanded in the lateral direction, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of a patient transfer device in the form of a transfer mattress 36 according to the present invention is illustrated. The transfer mattress 36, like the transfer mattresses 10 and 33, includes a top sheet 12, a bottom sheet 14, a side panel 16, and an expansion panel 32, with the top sheet 12 being inclined at the head portion 26 portion of the transfer mattress 36. . Also, like the patient transfer mattress 33, the transfer mattress 36 includes a relatively narrow lateral compartment 34 in the portion of the intermediate portion 30 of the mattress 36 for increased support and stability of the intermediate portion 30.

  The transfer mattress 36 also includes a bulky inflatable chamber 38 attached to the foot portion 28 of the mattress 36 of the upper sheet 12. The inflatable chamber 38 in a lump creates a tapered shape that, when inflated, increases in width toward the end 40 of the mattress 36. This tapered shape acts as a wedge and maintains the separation between the patient's feet supported on the mattress 36. For obese patients, foot separation promotes (blood) circulation and preserves skin integrity. Preferably, the compartments 38 are separated from each other by baffle walls 42 to increase the strength of the compartment. Thus, each mass of inflatable chamber 38 includes at least one inlet port 44 for expansion. Here, it should be understood that the inflatable foot separator need not necessarily include a plurality of inflatable chambers. The foot separator may include a single chamber that forms a wedge-shaped configuration as shown. Also, the foot separator need not be inflatable. Alternatively, the foot separator may be made of a material such as foamed resin fixed to the upper sheet 12 of the mattress 36.

  The transfer mattress 36 preferably includes a top sheet 12 that is inclined at the portion of the head portion 26 of the mattress 36 and a narrowed lateral chamber 34 at the portion of the intermediate portion 30. However, the present invention is not limited to these configurations. The foot separator described above may be provided in a variety of transfer mattresses having lateral chambers 24 that are substantially uniform throughout the mattress, or transfer mattresses having an upper sheet that is not inclined at the head portion.

  FIG. 4 shows a patient transfer device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the form of an air transfer mattress 46. Similar to the transfer mattresses 10 and 33, the transfer mattress 46 preferably includes an upper sheet 12 having a slope at the head portion 26 portion. Also, the transfer mattress 46 is preferred, with the intermediate portion 30 having a relatively narrow lateral chamber 34 similar to the transfer mattresses 33 and 36, and a single inflatable chamber 38 similar to the transfer mattress 36. A foot separator formed by

  1-3, each of transfer mattresses 10, 33, and 36 includes an air inlet hose 31 for supplying air from an air source to inflate the transfer mattress. Transfer mattress 46 includes an inflator 48 attached directly to the transfer mattress to inflate the mattress. Inflator 48 is preferably attached to foot portion 28 adjacent to the mattress end of transfer mattress 46. The inflator 48 includes a set of hoses 50 connected to an inlet port located on the back side of the mattress 46 adjacent to the end 40. Inflator 48 includes a power cord 52 configured to couple to an electrical socket. Alternatively, the inflator 48 may include its own battery source for power supply. The inflator 48 need not necessarily include a set of hoses 50, but instead may have a single hose. Alternatively, transfer mattress 46 may include a single inlet port to which the inflator can be directly connected, thereby eliminating the need for a hose to interconnect the inflator and the inlet port. . In the figure, the inflator 48 is shown attached to the foot portion 28 of the mattress 46, but it should be understood that the inflator may be attached elsewhere on the mattress 46.

  The transfer mattress 46 preferably includes a top sheet 12 that is inclined at the head portion 26, a narrowed lateral chamber 34 in the middle portion 30, an inflator 48, and a foot separator in the foot portion 28 portion. . However, the present invention is not limited to these configurations. For example, the inflator 48 described above may include a transfer mattress that does not include a foot separator, a mattress that has a substantially uniform lateral chamber 24, or a mattress that has a top sheet that is not tilted at the head. May be used with any transfer mattress.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show a patient transfer device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in the form of a transfer mattress 54. Similar to the transfer mattress 10 of FIG. 1, the transfer mattress 54 includes a top sheet 12, a bottom sheet 14, a side panel 16, a loop handle 18, and a patient restraint strap 20. Also, similar to the transfer mattress 10, the mattress 54 includes an expansion panel 32 at the head portion 26 of the mattress and includes an inflatable body support chamber 56 for tilting the upper sheet 12 at the head portion 26. Similar to the mattress 10, the inflatable fuselage support chamber 56 provides a primary plenum (or air-filled space) defined by the rest of the mattress 54 to provide separate expansion by its own supply of air. ). Alternatively, the inflatable fuselage support chamber 56 may be in communication (or connected) with the main plenum for a common air supply.

  The transfer mattress 54 further includes a head support chamber 58 connected to the head portion 26 of the upper sheet 12. The head support chamber 58 of the mattress 54 is preferably in communication with the body support chamber 56 in order to inflate the head support chamber 58 with air from the body support chamber 56. In FIG. 5, the head support chamber 58 is shown in a contracted state. Straps 60 attached to both sides of the head support chamber 58 are detachably attached to tabs 62 attached to the upper seat 12 in order to hold the head support chamber 58 in a contracted state. The strap 60 and tab 62 are preferably provided with velcro material to provide the desired removable attachment. However, instead of the velcro, other suitable fastener means such as snaps may be used.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the strap 60 has been removed from the tab 62 to allow the head support chamber 58 to expand with air from the fuselage support chamber 56. The expansion of the head support chamber 58 provides support for the patient's head with the patient's chin lifted slightly rotated toward the chest. As shown in FIG. 6, the fuselage support chamber 56 and head support chamber 58 preferably include valves 64, 66 for controlling the inflation pressure of the respective chambers. By providing separate torso support chamber 56 and head support chamber 58 and independently controlling each chamber, as will be described in detail later, to facilitate endotracheal intubation of the patient, Independent adjustment of the patient's torso and head elevation can be provided.

  7 and 8 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention in the form of an inflatable torso and head support provided as an inflatable transfer mattress 68 and an appendage 70 attachable to the transfer mattress 68. 1 shows a patient transfer device according to the present invention. Prior art inflatable transfer mattresses include an upper sheet 71 that supports the patient in a prone (or supine) position. As shown in FIG. 7, the inflatable transfer mattress 68 and the fuselage and head support appendage 70 are fasteners 72 for removably attaching the fuselage and head support appendage 70 to the transfer mattress 68. including. Removable attachment of the torso and head support appendage 70, with the mattress 68 lying below the torso and head support appendage 70, whether or not the mattress is provided with a torso and head lift. Makes it possible to use.

  The torso and head support appendix 70 includes an inflatable body chamber 74 and an inflatable head pillow 76 disposed on the upper surface of the body chamber 74. The torso and head support appendage 70 also includes a foot end 78 connected to the torso chamber 74. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuselage compartment 74 and the foot end 78 are preferred, with substantially the entire top surface of the inflatable mattress 68 on which the torso and head support appendages 70 lie below. Is dimensioned to cover.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the torso chamber 74 is wedge-shaped so that when inflated, it has an inclination to lift the upper portion of the patient's torso relative to the lower portion of the patient's torso. The foot end 78 of the torso and head support 70 may not be inflatable. The underlying transfer mattress 68 provides the necessary support for transferring the patient so that the foot end 78 need not be inflated.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the body compartment 74 and head pillow 76 of the body and head support appendage 70 are shown in detail. The head pillow 76 includes an inflatable chamber 80 that defines an interior separated from the interior of the torso chamber 74 to provide separate expansion of the torso chamber 74 and the head pillow 76. The head pillow 76 also includes a cushion 82, preferably made of foam material, disposed over the inflatable chamber 80. The cushion 82 includes an upper surface having a concave curved surface. The head pillow 76 also includes a cover 84 that covers the chamber 80 and the cushion 82. Cover 84 includes an upper surface having a concave curved surface that coincides with the upper surface of cushion 82. The cover 84 also has an accordion-like shape at the lower end to allow expansion and contraction of the cover 84 depending on whether the covered chamber 80 is inflated or deflated.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the torso and head support appendage 70 is connected to the first chamber set 86, 88 connected to the chamber 80 of the head pillow 76 and to the torso chamber 74. 2 sets of tubes 90,92. This configuration allows for independent expansion of the fuselage compartment 74 and head pillow 76 by air supplied by a pressurized air source, which is preferably a compressor 94. In each set of tubes, one of the tubes is provided for the inhalation of air into the associated chamber and the other tube is provided for the discharge of air from the chamber. The fuselage and head support appendage 70 also includes an expansion control system 96 that includes a split air distribution manifold 98 for controlling the inhalation of air into or out of the fuselage compartment 74 and head pillow 76. Have. As will be described in detail later, the inflation control system 96 has the ability to very precisely adjust the amount of inflation of one or both of the fuselage compartment 74 and the head pillow compartment 80.

  The air distribution manifold 98 includes four valves 100 each connected to one of the tubes 86, 88, 90, 92. The valve 100 is for controlling the intake or discharge of air into the corresponding compartments 74, 80, and is preferably an electrically controlled valve. Electrically controlled valves for controlling air flow are well known in the art and need not be described in detail here. The air distribution manifold 98 is connected to the compressor 94 by a line (or tube) 102 for supplying pressurized air from the compressor 94 to the air distribution manifold 98. As preferred, the line 102 may be configured to provide power to the distribution manifold 98 to supply power to the electrically operated valves 100 of the distribution manifold 98.

  The inflation control system 96 also includes a control unit 104 that is connected to the air distribution manifold 98 by a cord 106 to control the operation of the valve 100. The control unit 104 is shown attached to the end of an intubation handle 108 that is configured to be grasped by the user's hand. By configuring in this manner, the control unit 104 can be differentiated by the thumb of the intubating user, without the intubating user looking away from the patient torso / head chamber 74, Allows fine adjustment to 80 expansions. As shown, the control unit 104 includes four thumb switches 110 arranged in a circumferential arrangement for separate differential of the four valves 100. The arrangement of the attachment to the handle described above is more convenient for facilitating the intubation procedure, but the present invention is not limited by any particular arrangement and uses a different configuration from the illustrated embodiment. May be.

  Here, it should be understood that the chambers 74, 80 are independently controlled by the inflation control system 96, whereby various combinations of head support and torso support positions can be achieved. In accordance with a preferred method for controlling the torso and head support 70 for intubation, the patient is placed on a patient transfer device with a torso and head support appendage 70 attached to the transfer mattress 68. The Next, each of the torso and heads 74, 80 is fully inflated using the control unit 104 to lift the top of the patient's torso and rotate the patient's head slightly forward relative to the torso. . Next, the head chamber 80 is partially contracted until the three axes described above are aligned to position the patient in the “sniffing position” described above. As shown in FIG. 9, by placing the patient in this position, the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes (OA, PA, LA, respectively) are arranged in substantial alignment. In many cases, a fully inflated fuselage chamber 74 will be in place. However, contraction of both chambers 74, 80 to a partially expanded state may be required to properly position any patient for intubation. Further, it will be appreciated that for a particular patient, complete expansion of both chambers 74, 80 may result in sufficient alignment between the three axes OA, PA, LA for successful intubation. There must be.

  Although the invention has been described with preferred embodiments so far, non-essential modifications of the invention not shown here will be considered equivalents of the invention.

1 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, shown with the head support pillow contracted. FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the patient transfer device of FIG. 5 shown with the head support pillow inflated. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a patient transfer device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the inflatable head / torso support appendage of the patient transfer device of FIG. 7 including an inflation control system for providing independent inflation of the head and torso bags. FIG. 6 is a side view of a patient having a head and torso supported so that the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes are aligned to facilitate endotracheal intubation.

Explanation of symbols

10 Patient Transfer Mattress 12 Top Sheet 14 Bottom Sheet 16 Side Panel 18 Loop Handle 19 Loop Traction Strap 20 Patient Binding Strap 22 Side Air Chamber 24 Lateral Air Chamber 26 Head Portion 28 Foot Portion 30 Middle Portion 31 Air inlet hose 32 Expansion panel 33 Patient transfer mattress 34 Lateral chamber 36 Patient transfer mattress 38 Inflatable chamber 40 End 42 Baffle wall 46 Air transfer mattress 48 Inflator 50 Hose 52 Power cord 54 Patient transfer mattress 56 Torso support chamber 58 Head support chamber 60 Strap 62 Tab 64, 66 Valve 68 Patient transfer mattress 70 Torso and head support accessories 71 Upper seat 72 Fastener 74 Body chamber 76 Head pillow 78 Foot side end 80 Head chamber 82 Cushion 84 Cover 86-92 Pipe 94 Compressor 96 Expansion control system 98 Air distribution manifold 100 Valve 102 Line 104 Control unit 106 Code 108 Handle for intubation

Claims (16)

A patient transfer device comprising a transfer mattress having top and bottom sheets defining an inflatable air chamber comprising:
In order to facilitate the sliding movement of the transfer mattress on the support surface on which the bottom sheet lies under the mattress, an air cushion is provided under the bottom sheet when the air chamber is inflated. Having an air discharge hole configured to produce,
The transfer mattress further includes a head side end and an opposite foot side end, and an inflatable trunk support chamber disposed at the head side end, and tilts the upper sheet at the head side end. A torso support chamber configured to lift the upper portion of the patient's torso relative to the lower portion of the patient's torso and the foot, wherein the torso support chamber of the transfer mattress is separated from the inflatable air chamber by a septum Demarcated interior,
The transfer mattress includes an intermediate portion between the head end and the foot end;
The transfer mattress expands between the side air chambers in each of a pair of side air chambers that extend in the vertical direction, the head side end portion, the intermediate portion, and the foot side end portion. A width of the transverse chamber in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the transfer mattress is that of the transverse chamber of the head side end and the foot side end of the transfer mattress. Patient transfer device narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction .   The patient transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the torso is tiltable at an angle of about 40 degrees or less with respect to the foot side end portion at the head side end portion.   A foot separator disposed on an upper surface of the foot end of the transfer mattress, the foot separator configured to maintain a separation between a patient's foot supported on the transfer mattress; The patient transfer device according to claim 1, wherein:   The patient transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the foot separator includes at least one inflatable chamber.   4. The patient transfer device of claim 3, wherein the foot separator is tapered along the length of the foot separator to define a wedge shape.   The patient transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising an inflatable head support chamber disposed over the torso support chamber.   7. A patient transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the inflatable head support chamber defines an interior separated by an isolation wall from an inner portion of the torso support chamber.   7. The patient transfer device of claim 6, wherein the inflatable head support chamber is configured to be adjustable inflatable to provide a partially inflated state. A patient transfer device having a bottom air discharge hole configured to facilitate sliding movement of the transfer mattress with respect to a support surface lying underneath a supported patient;
A torso support including an inflatable chamber, the support surface lying on the underside of the patient transfer device such that when the torso support chamber is inflated, the patient's torso is lifted against the patient's foot A fuselage support having an upper surface that is tilted relative to
A head support disposed on an upper surface of the fuselage support, including an inflatable head support chamber, wherein the head support chamber is adapted for independent expansion of each of the chambers. A head support defining an interior separated by an upper surface of the fuselage support chamber from an inner portion defined by
A set of side air chambers extending longitudinally;
In each part of the head support, the fuselage support, a plurality of lateral chambers extending between the side air chambers , the length of the transfer mattress of the lateral chamber in the fuselage support A lateral chamber whose width in the direction is narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction of the transfer mattress of the lateral chamber in the head support;
An inlet tube connected to each of the body support chamber and the head support chamber, each connected to a pressurized air source to inflate the associated chamber;
An expansion control system operatively connected to the inlet tube and configured to independently control expansion of the body support chamber and the head support chamber;
A patient transfer device. The expansion control system includes a distribution manifold connected to a pressurized air source, and the distribution manifold is pressurized air from the pressurized air source to the fuselage support chamber and the head support chamber. A valve connected to each of the inlet pipes for independently supplying
The patient transfer device according to claim 9.   And further comprising an exhaust pipe connected to each of the fuselage support chamber and the head support chamber, wherein the distribution manifold is adapted to exhaust the air from the associated chamber and to control the contraction of the chamber. The patient transfer device according to claim 9, comprising a valve connected to each.   The patient transfer device according to claim 11, wherein the valve of the distribution manifold is an electrically controlled valve.   10. The expansion control system includes a control unit for controlling the valve of the distribution manifold, wherein the control unit is configured to be attached to an intubation tube for actuation by a user's thumb. The patient transfer device as described.   The patient transfer device according to claim 9, wherein the head support chamber includes a cushion disposed on an upper surface of the head support chamber, and a cover that covers the head support chamber and the cushion. Patient transfer device:
A transfer mattress including top and bottom sheets and an inflatable air chamber, which facilitates sliding movement of the transfer mattress relative to a support surface lying under the mattress when the air chamber is inflated. A transfer mattress configured to generate an air cushion on the underside of the bottom seat to
A body support body having an inflatable chamber and a head support body having an inflatable chamber as a body and head support accessory removably attached to the transfer mattress, the head support chamber Is disposed on the upper surface of the torso support chamber, and the torso support lifts the upper part of the patient's torso relative to the lower part of the patient's torso and the foot when the torso support chamber is inflated. The fuselage support chamber and the head support chamber may be connected to each other of the transfer mattress to enable independent expansion of the respective chambers. A torso and head support appendix defining an interior separated by an upper sheet;
An inlet tube connected to each of the fuselage support chamber and the head support chamber for supplying pressurized air to the associated chamber for expansion of the associated chamber;
A pressurized air source;
A distribution manifold operably connected to the pressurized air source to receive pressurized air, each for a controlled supply of pressurized air to an associated chamber. A distribution manifold including first and second valves connected to a corresponding one of the inlet tubes;
A controller connected to the distribution manifold and configured to control operation of the valve for independent expansion of the body support chamber and the head support chamber;
With
The fuselage and head support appendage extend between a pair of side air chambers extending in the vertical direction and the side air chambers at each of the head support body and the body support body. further comprising a plurality of the transverse chamber, and of the lateral compartment of the body supporting body, the width in the longitudinal direction of the transfer mattress, lateral chamber in said head support body than the width in the longitudinal direction of the transfer mattress Narrow patient transfer device.   The apparatus further comprises first and second exhaust pipes connected to associated chambers for exhausting air from the fuselage support chamber and the head support chamber, wherein the distribution manifold includes controlled contraction of the associated chambers. 16. A patient transfer device according to claim 15, comprising third and fourth valves connected to a corresponding one of the exhaust pipes for the purpose.

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